Tennis equipment rack

ABSTRACT

A tennis equipment rack for the convenient and attractive storage of tennis rackets and cans of tennis balls. The rack is comprised of a horizontal shelf-like member, attachable to a wall by a pair of vertical members engaging the shelf-like member, and having a pair of rail-like members disposed from the lower surface of the shelf-like member to engage the lip on tennis ball cans for support thereunder. The shelf-like member has a plurality of openings of a special configuration, each adapted to receive and support an uncovered tennis racket, or a tennis racket having a cover or a frame thereon.

United States Patent 191 Pietrack et al.

[ Jan. 7, 1975 1 TENNIS EQUIPMENT RACK [22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 198,309

[52] US. Cl 211/13, 211/74, 211,"!0 [51] Int. Cl. A47? 7/00 [58] Field of Search 21 1/13, 14, 71, 88, 90,

211/60 R, 60 A, 60 T, 74; 248/235; 108/152 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1871 Chesley 108/152 12/1909 Brede 211/60T 2,767,854 10/1956 Barrett 211/13 3,224,594 12/1965 Schweitzer 3,381,636 5/1968 Saiberlich 211/90 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 102,232 8/1941 Sweden 211/90 498,535 l/1939 Great Britain 211/88 Primary ExaminerRam0n S. Britts Assistant ExaminerThomas J. Holko Attorney, Agent, or FirmSpensley & Horn [57] ABSTRACT A tennis equipment rack for the convenient and attractive storage of tennis rackets and cans of tennis balls. The rack is comprised of a horizontal shelf-like member, attachable to a wall by a pair of vertical members engaging the shelf-like member, and having a pair of rail-like members disposed from the lower surface of the shelf-like member to engage the lip on tennis ball cans for support thereunder. The shelf-like member has a plurality of openings of a special configuration, each adapted to receive and support an uncovered tennis racket, or a tennis racket having a cover or a frame thereon.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures TENNIS EQUIPMENT RACK Disclosure Document Program This application for patent is based on a disclosure filed on Sept. 20, 1971, as Disclosure Document No. 006705, under the Disclosure Document Program.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of supporting and displaying racks for sports equipment.

2. Prior Art Various racks and supporting devices for equipment such as sports equipment are well known in the prior art. By way of example, there are various racks for support, storage and display of pool equipment, such as pool cues, balls and the like. The racks generally mount on or are built into a wall, and handsomely add to the decor of the room by their design and material selection, whether supporting and displaying pool equipment or substantially empty.

In the case of tennis equipment such as tennis racks and tennis balls, there is no similar decorative and functional rack for supporting and displaying the equipment. Characteristically, cans of tennis balls are stored on a shelf, in a drawer, etc., as space and convenience may allow, thereby often resulting in the misplacement of the balls. Tennis rackets, on the other hand, are generally stored by placement on a closet shelf, standing up on a closet floor, or even left in such places as anautomobile trunk for lack of a better and more convenient storage place, which may result in exposure of the rack to temperature extremes and substantial moisture as well as physical abuse, all to the detriment of the condition and value of the racket. Thus there is needed a convenient, simple and low cost rack for the convenient storage of tennis equipment so as to store the equipment in a known location and to avoid the subjection of the equipment to undesirable environmental extremes and physical abuse.

Tennis rackets, whether having covers thereon or not, if properly displayed may be an attractive and decorative addition to a game room, study and the like. However, the mere placement of a tennis racket and cans of balls on a shelf or standing of a tennis racket in the corner, etc., creates an untidy appearance in the room and requires too much otherwise useful space in a room. Thus a rack for properly supporting tennis rackets and cans of balls should be both functional and decorative so as to attractively display the tennis equipment in a manner not requiring otherwise useful space, and preferably should be a rack which is attractive and decorative even when the tennis equipment is temporarily withdrawn therefrom. Further, a rack for tennis rackets should be adapted to support tennis rackets even if such rackets have a fabric cover or a frame thereon. Such supporting and display racks are not known in the prior art, so that any attractive and orderly display of tennis equipment in the prior art is quite uncommon.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A tennis equipment rack for the convenient storage and attractive display of tennis rackets and cans of tennis balls. The rack is comprised of a horizontal shelflike member attachable to a wall by a pair of vertical members engaging the shelf-like member at the rear thereof. The shelf-like member has a pair of rail-like members disposed from the lower surface thereof to engage the lip adjacent the top of tennis ball cans for the support thereof. The shelf-like member has a plurality of openings therethrough, each of the openings having a shape generally characterized as a cylindrical hole with symmetrical slots extending therefrom in opposing directions. The central hole allows the vertical passage of a tennis racket handle therethrough and the slots provide a means of engaging, aligning and supporting the bulbiferous portion of the tennis racket. Uncovered rackets, rackets with fabric covers, and rackets with frames may be stored and displayed in the rack. The vertical members provide a means for attaching the shelf-like member to a wall and are provided with slots to receive the back edge of the shelf-like member, with screws passing therethrough to attach the vertical members to the shelf-like members. Various specific configurations of the tennis equipment rack of the present invention may be used, depending upon the number of rackets to be supported thereby and the specific use and desired appearance of the rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is prospective view of the tennis equipment rack of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the tennis equipment rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the tennis equipment rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A isa view taken on expanded scale along line 3a-3a of FIG. 3, illustrating the manner of engagement of rails 24 with the top of the ball cans 38.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the rack of FIG. I taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the tennis equipment rack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION First referring to FIG. I, a prospective view of the tennis equipment rack of the present invention may be seen. In this figure, the rack is shown supporting and displaying three tennis rackets and two cans of tennis balls. The rack, in this embodiment, is comprised of a horizontal member 20, a pair of vertical members 22 engaging the back of the horizontal member 20 in spaced apart relation, and a pair of supporting rails 24, barely visible, projecting from the lower surface of the horizontal member 20.

The horizontal member 20 has a plurality of openings 26 for receiving tennis rackets through the top thereof in a handle down disposition and for supporting the tennis rackets by engagement with the bulbiferous portion thereof. The openings 26 in horizontal member 20 are of a selected proportion and dimension so as to support a racket, such as racket 28 which has no cover or frame thereon, a racket 30 having a fabric cover 32 thereon, or a racket 34 having a wooden frame 36 thereon. The dimensions and proportions of the openings have been determined so as to not only receive and support rackets having any of the various covers, frames, etc. thereon, as hereabove described, but also to engage frame 36 and rackets having other covers,

etc. so as to support and display such rackets at substantially the same vertical position, and without significant mis-alignment of the plane of the tennis racket with the respective opening 26. Similarly, rails 24 are disposed so as to be engageable with the lip at the top of tennis ball can 38 so as to support the cans in an orderly, parallel relationship beneath the horizontal member 20.

Now referring to FIG. 2, a top view of the tennis equipment rack of FIG. 1 may be seen. In the preferred embodiment, a horizontal member 20 has an outer planform shape which is rectangular, having a length of approximately 21 inches and a width of approximately 6 inches. It is to be understood, however, that shapes other than rectangular may be used, and openings 26 may be disposed therein in non-parallel relationship. By way of specific example, horizontal member 20 may have a contoured front edge with openings 26 arranged in a fan like disposition on each side of a central area to effectively focus attention to an item such as a trophy displayed thereon.

Each of the openings 26 is comprised of a cylindrical hole 40 having a diameter of approximately 2 inches centrally disposed with respect to a pair of slots 42 which each terminate at the end thereof in a hemicylindrical surface 44, thereby defining a slot having an overall length of approximately 6 /2 inches at its maximum and terminating in a full radius at the ends thereof. The slots 42 are approximately 1 inch in width, this being adequate to accommodate substantially all tennis rackets currently on the market. These dimensions, of course, may be varied within certain limits and still achieve the purposes of the invention. By way of example, the central hole 40 which in a preferred embodiment is 2 inches in diameter may readily be made larger since, in effect, it is merely a clearance hole for the handle of the racket, and could be made somewhat smaller, say I inches in diameter and still accommodate most rackets. Similarly, the slot length of 6 /2 inches may be varies as desired, through 6 /2 inches has been found to be ideal for supporting rackets in frames by the frame and at substantially the same vertical disposition as a racket without a frame. The slot width should be at least three-fourths of an inch, though 1 inch is preferred so as to adequately accommodate most tennis rackets, and the semi-cylindrical termination of the slot at the end thereof may also be varied though it is preferred to terminate the slot with some form of converging surface, such as the hemicylindrical, surface shown, a triangular surface, etc., so as to naturally urge a racket which is significantly thinher than the width of the slot into a parallel relationship with the slot.

Now referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, a front view and a bottom view, respectively, of the tennis equipment rack of the present invention may be seen. These views show the plan form of the vertical members 22 and further illustrate the disposition of rails 24 and their engagement with one or two cans of balls 38, shown in phantom. The engagement of one of the rails with a ball can is shown, on an expanded scale, in FIG. 3a, which is a view taken on an expanded scale along lines 3a-3a of FIG. 3. In this view it may be seen that each of rails 46 has an upper horizontal member 46, an integral down.- ward projecting member 48, and an integral inwardly facing lip member 54 engaging the lower surface of the protruding lip 52 on the ball can cover 55. The upper horizontal member 46 is fastened to the under surface of horizontal member 20 by a plurality of screws 54 projecting through appropriately placed holes in rail 24. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting holes in the horizontal member 46 of the rails are elongated holes so as to allow the adjustment of the spacing between the rails to the desired spacing before final tightening of the mounting screws 54. Also in the preferred embodiment, the rails themselves are cut from a long extruded member and each has a length approximately one-fourth of an inch less than the width of horizontal member 20; that is, approximately 5 inches, so as to project outward to a position adjacent the front of horizontal member 20, thus being visible to aid in the placement of tennis ball cans therein.

Now referring to FIG. 4, an end view of the tennis equipment rack of the present invention taken along the lines 44 of FIG. 3 may be seen. This view illustrates the means for mounting the rack utilized in the preferred embodiments; namely, vertical members 22 and the manner in which the vertical members 22 engage the horizontal members 20. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is fabricated using 1 inch thick oak plank throughout (except for rails 24,

which are aluminum extruded members, and, of course, various assembly and fastening screws). Thus, horizontal member 20 is 1 inch thick, as are the vertical members 22. The vertical members 22 in the preferred embodiment are each approximately 6 inches long and 3 /2 inches high, and are generally centered with respect to the holes 40 which are approximately 4 A inches in from each end of the horizontal member 20. The vertical members 22 have a slot 60 therein approximately one-half inch below the top thereof, with the slots 60 being one-half inch deep and 1 inch wide to receive the rear edge of horizontal member 20. The vertical members 22 are attached to the hoirzontal member 20 each by a pair of screws 62 countersunk into the back surface of the vertical members so as to not interfere with the flat rearward surface thereof. Below screws 62 are countersunk screw holes 64 for receiving mounting screws 66, shown in phantom, for mounting the rack to a wall. (These screw holes may also be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5).

The use of wooden members for vertical members 22 as a mounting means has a number of advantages. Members 22 may be fabricated using the same material and generally the same techniques as horizontal member 20, and are very easily and readily mounted to the horizontal member. Thus a sturdy and durable means of mounting the rack is obtained at a much lower cost than if wrought iron brackets or the like were used. Also, being of the same material, the finish is identical to, and therefore aesthetically compatible with, the horizontal member 20, giving a coordinated and rugged appearance, as opposed to an appearance of an aggregation of parts. Also the use of oak in the preferred embodiment with a natural finish gives a handsome wood tone of moderate darkness which integrates well with both light and dark wood which might be encountered in any particular room in which the rack may be used.

There has been herein described a convenient, highly useful and attractive rack for supporting and storing a plurality of tennis rackets and for supporting and storing cans of tennis balls. Other embodiments using the concept of the present invention may readily be designed to achieve other useful and aesthetically appealing configurations. By way of example, in FIG. 6 is shown a top view of an alternate embodiment having a narrower top member a, with the same mounting members 22 as in the preferred embodiment, and having only one tennis racket receiving opening 26 at each side of rails 24a, which are adapted to support one can of tennis balls 38. Similarly, other configurations may also be designed such as, by way of example, by increasing the length of horizontal member 20 of the rack of FIG. 1 and further spacing the tennis rack receiving openings 26 so as to provide a shelf-like area between tennis rackets for displaying trophies and the like. By way of further example, the rack receiving openings 26 might be slanted with respect to the wall, rather than being parallel to the mounting surface, so as to perhaps direct a focus onto the central shelf area between the tennis rackets. These and other variations may readily be designed to achieve various functional and aesthetic characteristics. Thus while the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A tennis equipment rack comprising a horizontal, substantially rectangular member of substantially uniform thickness having an even plurality of openings vertically therethrough, each for receiving a tennis racket, each of said openings having a central opening for allowing the passage of a tennis racket handle therethrough, with symmetrical slot-like openings extending in opposing directions therefrom to allow the partial passage of the bulbiferous portion of a tennis racket therethrough, each of said slot-like openings terminating at a hemi-cylindrical surface, said openings being equally disposed adjacent each end and generally parallel to the length of said rectangular member,

at least one pair of opposingly disposed rail members attached to the bottom surface of said horizontal member, generally in the center portion thereof, each of said rail members having an integral downward projecting member and an integral horizontally projecting member depending from said downward projecting member so as to define a horizontal channel, said rail members comprising each of said pairs being disposed with said channels in a facingly disposed relationship at a predetermined separation, whereby cans of tennis balls may be supported on the rim adjacent the top thereof by the engagement of said rim with said Channels,

a pair of mounting members, each of said mounting members being a substantially rectangular member of generally uniform thickness and having a slot disposed along the length and generally parallel to the sides thereof, said slot having a depth approximately one half of the thickness of said mounting members and a width substantially equal to the thickness of said horizontal member, said mounting members being disposed in spaced apart relationship with the rear edge of said horizontal member being disposed and fastened within said slots in said mounting members, said mounting members each having at least one hole therein for receiving a means for fastening said rack to a wall.

2. The rack of claim 1 wherein said slot in each of said mounting members is adjacent the upper edge thereof, and said at least one hole therein for receiving a means for fastening said rack to a wall is below said horizontal member.

3. The rack of claim 2 wherein said openings in said horizontal member are spaced apart in fore and aft disposition adjacent each end of said rack and said mounting members are disposed generally behind each group of said openings. 

1. A tennis equipment rack comprising a horizontal, substantially rectangular member of substantially uniform thickness having an even plurality of openings vertically therethrough, each for receiving a tennis racket, each of said openings having a central opening for allowing the passage of a tennis racket handle therethrough, with symmetrical slot-like openings extending in opposing directions therefrom to allow the partial passage of the bulbiferous portion of a tennis racket therethrough, each of said slot-like openings terminating at a hemi-cylindrical surface, said openings being equally disposed adjacent each end and generally parallel to the length of said rectangular member, at least one pair of opposingly disposed rail members attached to the bottom surface of said horizontal member, generally in the center portion thereof, each of said rail members having an integral downward projecting member and an integral horizontally projecting member depending from said downward projecting member so as to define a horizontal channel, said rail members comprising each of said pairs being disposed with said channels in a facingly disposed relationship at a predetermined separation, whereby cans of tennis balls may be supported on the rim adjacent the top thereof by the engagement of said rim with said channels, a pair of mounting members, each of said mounting members being a substantially rectangular member of generally uniform thickness and having a slot disposed along the length and generally parallel to the sides thereof, said slot having a depth approximately one half of the thickness of said mounting members and a width substantially equal to the thickness of said horizontal member, said mounting members being disposed in spaced apart relationship with the rear edge of said horizontal member being disposed and fastened within said slots in said mounting members, said mounting members each having at least one hole therein for receiving a means for fastening said rack to a wall.
 2. The rack of claim 1 wherein said slot in each of said mounting members is adjacent the upper edge thereof, and said at least one hole therein for receiving a means for fastening said rack to a wall is below said horizontal member.
 3. The rack of claim 2 wherein said openings in said horizontal member are spaced apart in fore and aft disposition adjacent each end of said rack and said mounting members are disposed generally behind each group of said openings. 